Dragons deny that deal is done for Wales pair

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have strongly denied deals are agreed to sign Wales international Aled Brew and Lee Byrne this summer.

Reports on Sunday evening claimed a deal had been agreed for the pair, in what would represent a huge coup for the Dragons.

The Argus have been informed by several sources close to the Welsh region that there is a strong chance the duo will arrive, having been enticed by the ambition of coach Lyn Jones.

However, when contacted by the Argus, the Dragons made perfectly clear that no deal is currently in place.

“I know nothing about it, as far as I am concerned it is speculation,” Team Manager Robert Beale explained.

“As far as I am aware, no signings have been made or announced and that is all I can say.”

The Dragons have a press conference scheduled midday today ahead of their Amlin Challenge Cup clash with Bath and it is expected that Byrne and Brew will be high on the agenda.

Byrne, as reported in the Argus for several weeks, has been a long-term target to provide competition for Wales cap Dan Evans at fullback, the 33-year old apparently keen to move back to Wales after three years with Heineken Cup winners Clermont Auvergne.

Brew would be re-joining the region after two previous spells, in which he scored 215 points for the Men of Gwent, before joining

Biarritz.

Meanwhile, Young flanker Sam Lewis has personally apologised to Newport Gwent Dragons for the contractual confusion caused last week. Lewis gave his initial commitment to the Dragons, but then signed a full contract with the Ospreys allowing him to remain at the region.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones commented, "Sam is a young man who now realises the seriousness of any future actions.

"It's been an unusual episode and as a region we are now drawing a line under this event and moving forward.”